The Seduction of Edward Hyde
The following morning found Aurora walking the corridors reading a book as she made to make her way to the ship’s labs. First she had to drop off four other books she was carrying with Allan before she could start playing with Henry’s formula. She emerged herself in the book so much so that she wasn’t using her senses to detect other people around her and turned the corner running right into Henry spilling the books from her hands and all over the floor.
“Dr. Jekyll!” Aurora said startled.
“I am so sorry.” Henry said bending down to pick up her books. She knelt beside him shaking her head.
“It’s my fault; I wasn’t paying attention to what was going on around me.” She said as Henry read the title of the book she had been reading then looked at her and she smiled. “I am a very educated woman Dr. Jekyll.” Aurora said with a smile as she stood.
“I can see that.” Henry said handing her the book. She sat it on top of the others she was holding and looked at it for a moment. “Have you had a chance to play with my formula?” Henry asked her with amusement.
“Not yet. In fact I was just on my way to the lab, after dropping off these books with Allan.” She said hugging the books to her chest letting the corner of a book sharply dig into it to distract her.
“I’ll meet you there then.” Henry said and Aurora nodded.
“Alright.” She said softly and started to turn away from him and walk. She got two steps before she ran into someone else, spilling the books to the floor again. Dorian gave her a look as all three of them bent down to pick the books up.
“Just a little light reading?” Dorian asked glancing at a title as he handed it to her. Aurora shrugged and looked at the poor books.
“I’ve read them many times Dorian.” Aurora stated standing once again. Dorian glanced at Henry who just smiled. They both stared at Aurora who had for the first time left her long trench out of her outfit for the day. She was wearing her leather pants with a shirt that hugged her midriff then blossomed out around her breasts and down her arms, allowing for ample view of her cleavage. Aurora was more than conscious of their looks. “Well gentlemen.” She said and turned but at that moment the Nautilus leaned to its side making many lose their balance. Henry quickly recovered his in time to catch Aurora and Dorian managed to catch two of the books as the rest fell to the floor for a third time. “For the love of..!” Aurora said as Henry helped her get her balance. She looked at the books on the floor and almost growled. She bent down and grabbed one when she sensed someone near.
“Fantastic day for a sail eh?” Skinner’s voice asked and Aurora stood up promptly looking around.
“Aren’t you suppose to be clothed Mr. Skinner?” Aurora asked and kept herself from looking to her right.
“I suppose.” Skinner replied on her right. “But where’s the fun in that.” Dorian made a noise as he handed Aurora her books he had caught. And Henry handed her the others. Before anyone could say anything more she made a wide berth of the space to her right and began to walk down the hall. “Well isn’t she a feisty one?” Skinner commented right before a book came sliding back down the hall. All three of them looked around the corner to see Aurora standing down the hall, hands on her hips glaring at Allan.
“There you are!” Allan was saying to her. “I suppose these are the books I asked you for?” He said motioning to the four books lying at his feet.
“Indeed.” Aurora said not amused. “And if you ask me they prefer the floor.” She turned and began to walk back towards Dorian, Henry and Skinner while Allan chuckled and picked up the books. “And next time you can get your own books.” Aurora said over her shoulder that only made Allan laugh. Her eyes met Dorian’s as she neared them and she slid to the spot where her book laid and picked it up with a grace not guessed by her previous luck with books. “Dr. Jekyll.” She said meeting Henry’s eyes. “Would you care to accompany me to the lab?” Dorian chuckled.
“In case she can’t keep a hold of that one book.” He said as she walked by. Henry watched as a smile crossed her lips and she took the book in her left hand and smacked it into Dorian’s chest making him cough slightly.
“Precisely.” Aurora said with a smile. “God knows I couldn’t carry one book all by my lonesome.” She said walking down the corridor with Henry following with a smile.
They went down two levels to a slightly more quiet level of the ship. Aurora walked down the new corridor slowly looking at the detail on the walls. “Wow.” She said and Henry nodded. They entered the lab and Aurora smiled. It was spacious and had a great deal of equipment stashed in the glass front cabinets and on the counters.
“Not bad.” Henry said and Aurora looked at him.
“But not like home right?” She asked to which he shrugged. A sound behind them made Aurora turn and look down the corridor to a crewman walking fast towards them. He stopped in front of Aurora and gave her a quick bow.
“Dr. Jekyll.” He said and Henry turned. “The Captain has requested your presence for a moment if you please.” He said and Henry looked at Aurora.
“Don’t ask me.” She said and walked into the lab. “Go, I’ll be fine. And I promise I won’t blow up the ship.” She said sarcastically looking over her shoulder at the men. Henry smiled and turned while the crewman looked a little worried but followed Henry down the corridor.
“Sir…” The crewman started.
“Don’t worry; she knows what she’s doing.” Henry said.
Aurora sat in the lab at the table in the middle of the room with her head resting on top of her hands that where palm down on the table one over the other just staring at the vial as if she was expecting it to do something.
“You know there are easier ways to study it.” Henry said after watching her for a couple of moments. Aurora smiled but didn’t look at him.
“I don’t know where to start.” She said sadly still looking at the vial. Henry walked in and picked up the vial.
“One usually starts by opening the vial.” He suggested pulling the cork on it. Aurora managed to suppress the urge to roll her eyes at him. “Smell.” He said and Aurora stood and leaned over towards him and took a whiff and grabbed her nose and glared at Henry.
“How can you drink that stuff?” She asked a bit muffled since she was pinching her nose hard.
“One quick swallow and it’s down the gullet.” Henry said placing the vial down on the table and looking at it. Aurora reached over and slid it towards her and replaced the stopper then let her nose go.
“And it’s taste?”
“Salty, bitter, stings the tongue, warm in the gullet that spreads quickly throughout the veins.” Henry told her and Aurora watched as his eyes lingered on the vial.
“What about after effects?” She asked and Henry looked at her.
“Edward Hyde.” He said and Aurora shook her head.
“I mean other effects Doctor.” She said and for a moment Henry just looked at her.
“Pain. Lots of pain. Agony, breathlessness, a feeling of euphoria, light headedness.”
“So then Doctor, the most interesting question I pose to you is thus; why do you keep repeating the process?” To this Henry lowered his eyes to the floor and didn’t answer her.
“Hyde.” He whispered after a couple of minutes.
“Hyde.” Aurora repeated looking slightly confused.
“I hear him all the time in my head, and sometimes if I haven’t let him out for awhile it’s like a constant train of thought that never quiets.”
“So you repeat the process to clear your mind of Hyde’s endless chatter?” She asked not expecting an answer. “Have you ever thought about getting rid of Hyde completely?” She asked and looked at him. A flash in his eyes told her that Hyde was just under the surface, most likely hearing everything she was saying. Knowing everything Henry does. Which posed another question in her mind but before she dared speak it she jumped up and strode across the room to the door and looked out it. But she knew that just because she didn’t see anyone didn’t mean there wasn’t anyone there. She closed the door to the lab and turned the handle to lock it. When she turned around and looked at Henry he was looking at her strangely and she strode forward grabbing his hand and pulled him to a small closet. She opened the door and stepped inside pulling Henry in after her then closed the door. For a moment they were in complete darkness. Aurora ran her hand along the wall till she found a switch and turned on the light. Henry blinked and then gave her a questioning look. “Skinner.” She said simply and Henry swallowed.
“He’s here?” He asked in a low voice and Aurora was quiet for a moment.
“I don’t think so.” She said “But that doesn’t mean he couldn’t just wander in. Or anyone else for that matter.” She kept her voice low and was quiet for a moment. Henry looked around the small closet and tried not to notice just how close together they were.
“Why are we in the closet?” Henry whispered and Aurora smiled.
“I want to ask you something, and you don’t have to answer it, but I hope you do.” She said and Henry nodded despite his confusion. “When you are Hyde do you share the same memories?”
“Yes. I know everything Hyde does and has done.” Henry said softly.
“Even the murders?” She asked getting to the point rather quickly. Henry nodded. “Why haven’t you rid yourself of Hyde then?” Again she saw that flash in his eyes. “It should be rather easy.”
“The thought had crossed my mind at first.” Henry said. Aurora stood there for a moment then sighed.
“You have but face.” She said flatly and Henry just stared at her.
“What?”
“But face…the thought had crossed my mind at first BUT….” She quickly explained and Henry blinked and looked away from her trying to hide a smile.
“But, things got out of control from time to time…”
“All the more reason to destroy him.”
“And each time I vowed to rid him he’d do something drastic.”
“I’m not seeing any good reasons as of yet to keep him around.” Aurora said staring intently at Henry.
“You just don’t understand.” Henry finished with a sigh.
“Make me.” She snapped softly. Henry leaned his head back against the wall behind him and closed his eyes. Their closeness was getting to him and Hyde was getting to him by talking about Aurora. Non-stop chatter about what he’d love to do to her for suggesting that Henry get rid of him. Henry rubbed his temples and looked at Aurora who stood there arms across her chest staring at him with her back pressed against the wall.
“You don’t fear him.” Henry said and Aurora smiled a cocked-eyed smile.
“He has never given me a reason.” She said and Henry laughed.
“You obviously know he has killed…”
“So have I.” Aurora said which took Henry back a bit and actually shut Hyde up.
“You…?” Henry said and Aurora nodded.
“I’m a Quatermain, we are hired to kill, and we are hired to discover the undiscovered.” Aurora admitted. “Mainly it was the British Empire calling upon us, but Allan threw them off after the death of my parents, and hasn’t until recently, worked for them again.”
“But you have.” Henry said and Aurora shrugged.
“The best weapon sometimes is just a pretty woman.” Aurora stated. “Women make men weak, and when men are weak they’d tell you almost anything, or do almost anything.” Henry swallowed and made a face.
“No.” He whispered which made Aurora blink.
“Yes.” She remarked not understanding.
“No.” Henry repeated but this time with a little more growl.
“Doctor?” Aurora let her arms fall to her side and watched the brown eyes turn dark. Her heart thumped in her chest a little bit harder as she tried to understand just what exactly was happening. Henry put his hands to his temples and slowly began to sink to the floor. “Dr. Jekyll?” Aurora whispered and slowly sank as low as she could to the floor. She reached out a hand and touched his shoulder. Henry moved. His head was down and his arms were loose resting on his knees. The light wasn’t strong enough to erase the shadows from the floor so she couldn’t see him clearly. “Jekyll?” She whispered again and with the same lightning fast speed she had witness before, Henry, had a hand around her throat and was standing up pulling her up with him and slammed her against the wall.
“Think again.” The unmistakable voice of Hyde growled at her. Aurora tried to swallow but Hyde’s grip on her throat was too tight. Hyde stared into her eyes and squeezed a little tighter. Aurora slipped a hand up around his wrist and with a growl of her own yanked his hand away from her throat and pushed him against the wall behind him. Hyde blinked in amazement at her strength and actually began to chuckle.
“So we meet again Edward.” Aurora said and Hyde smiled.
“Just like I thought we might.”
“Mmmm...But at that time I had not realized who else you were.”
“Jekyll.” Hyde said with distain and Aurora pouted slightly.
“Yes. Dr. Jekyll.” Aurora eyed Hyde suspiciously her hand still tight on his wrist.
“You’re strong.” Hyde remarked and Aurora didn’t answer. “But just how strong.” In a flash he had her pinned against the wall, his right hand holding her jaw as she started laughing.
“The last thing you should seek Hyde is a battle of strength with me.” She said with a slight growl.
“You think you would win.” Hyde said with mock and Aurora smiled.
“I don’t think I would, I know I would.”
“This reminds me of another proposition you brought up our last meeting like this.” Hyde said smiling cruelly. It took Aurora only a moment to figure out what he was talking about. Hyde’s thumb ran along her jaw line and he leaned closer to her and turned her head softly to her left. “Henry won’t take you, even though he wants to. He’s dreamt and thought about nothing else since meeting you.” Hyde whispered into her ear. His hot breath running down her neck. “I on the other hand have no problems with taking you.” Hyde pulled his left hand out of Aurora’s grip and gently touched her neck brushing her hair off her shoulder. He put his nose to her lower neck and ran it softly up the muscle. Aurora took a deep breath as his fingers of his left hand squeezed her shoulder. “There’s no fear.” He whispered which made Aurora smile despite herself.
“I am told a Quatermain doesn’t fear anything.” She said and Hyde chuckled.
“I could make you fear me.” He said hotly in her ear. Aurora flexed her jaw muscles and Hyde pulled back to look at her. “You know I could.” He said his cold eyes reflecting the malice deep inside him.
“You could.” Aurora agreed feeling the pressure of his fingers. “But you won’t.” Hyde stood there looking at her with curiosity.
“What makes you think that?” He asked and Aurora smiled.
“Because it has been far too long since the last time you’ve actually been with a woman to make me fear you yet.” Hyde actually took a step back his right hand sliding down to her collarbone. They stood there looking at each other for a moment before Hyde quickly slid his hand behind her neck and pulled her to him.
They met at the lips first and Hyde pressed her against the wall pinning her between it and himself. Aurora slid her right hand up his chest to his neck and pulled slightly at a curl just behind his ear. She felt his tongue in her mouth as it eagerly searched the recesses of it and she felt his left hand as he traced the collar of her shirt with a finger down to her breasts. He kissed her eagerly and much to Aurora’s surprise passionately, although she was sure his type of passion wasn’t what she’d end up wanting to know completely. She pushed him back a bit with her left hand taking a hold of his lower lip softly with her teeth as she broke the kiss. Hyde stood there looking at her breathing deeply. Aurora smiled and took a step closer to him growling. With her left hand she pulled the hem of his shirt out of his pants and slipped it against his skin. Hyde moaned softly at her touch. With her right hand she placed squarely on his chest and pushed him against the wall. She smiled seductively at Hyde and pressed herself against him nipping at his jaw until her lips found his earlobe and she gently sucked it for a moment then breathed into his ear. His hands found her back and butt and he pulled her tighter against him as she began to whisper in his ear, her left hand still under his shirt. She could feel him against her abdomen as he pressed her harder to him.
“While a woman can make a man weak, she can also make him stronger.” She whispered and Hyde froze. He growled deep in his throat and his hand went for her neck but she anticipated that move and easily caught his left hand with her right. He snapped his jaws inches from her nose and yelled in pain. His head fell forward onto her shoulder and she braced herself for pain thinking he’d sink his teeth into her exposed flesh, but he didn’t and a moment later she was holding him up by only the hand still under his shirt.
“Dr. Jekyll?” She whispered in his ear then with a bit of strength she pushed him a bit harder against the wall, letting go of his arm and catching his chin and looked at him. “Henry?” his eyes opened and looked at her and she smiled softly at the brown eyes she saw.
Henry got his feet back under him and leaned back and really looked at her. He placed both his hands on her shoulders and made her take a step back, and then he reached under his shirt and pulled her hand out giving it a soft squeeze before he opened the closet door and stepping back out into the lab. He stumbled a bit and fell to his knees. Aurora walked quickly to his side and kneeled down beside him.
“Don’t.” Henry said sharply when she went to help him up. She pulled back and looked at him. “Just…leave me alone.” He whispered staring at the floor. Aurora stood and looked down at him sadly then turned towards the table and picked up the vial and walked to the door. With a single turn she unlocked it and opened it. She paused momentarily at the door and looked back at Henry still on the floor.
“I’m sorry Henry.” She said then walked out the door and down the corridor. Henry collapsed on the cold floor and pressed his cheek against it trying to close out the world around him and at the same time ignore the voice in his head screaming by concentrating on the places where Aurora had touched him that was still warm from her touch.
“How did you do it?” Henry whispered to the empty lab. “How did you get released without the formula?”
Links
Next Chapter
Fan Fiction Home
Aurora Quatermain Home
Home
